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TALON'S EDGE |
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May 2000 |
E-mail: uss.aquila@juno.com |
IN THIS ISSUE:
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EDITOR/SUBMISSIONS: Captain Glenna M. Juilfs DISTRIBUTION: Commander Rob Langenderfer DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE: May 28, 2000 SUBSCRIPTIONS: one (1) 33c stamp = 1 issue |
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UN-CLASSIFIED ADS |
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BULLETIN BOARD | |
| Click on the blinking star for information
about Area Meetings |
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| For more information on Activities & Events click on the little boy |
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| May
5 - Pamela (Pence) Fields 10 - Greg Turner 22 - Paul Winfield 23 - James Blish 27 - Harlan Ellison 30 - Colm Meaney & Michael Pillar 31 - Jessica Pence | |
HOLIDAYS
May 14 - Mothers' Day 29 - Memorial Day | |
| BRIEFING ROOM |
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SHIP'S LOG0004.08 |
The 109th meeting of the USS Aquila was held on Saturday April 8, 2000, at the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Mall Road in Florence, KY. The following were in attendance: Tamara Borchardt, Nelson Charette, Glenna Juilfs, Rob Langenderfer, Leonard Robinson, Aimee Weber, & Linda Widener.
Meeting Highlights:
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 VIDEO VIEWPOINTS
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A Continuing Review of the Fifth Season of Babylon 5
by Rob Langenderfer "The Paragon of Animals" is an episode, which has some good moments, mainly involving Byron and Lyta and the telepaths, but the plotline about the Drazi treachery is sort of shocking and inconsistent with what we have seen before. It is also not followed up on in future episodes. This is surprising, especially since this episode came from the pen of J. Michael Straczynski. G'Kar's Declaration of Principles is definitely worth hearing, however. "The View from the Gallery" shows us life on Babylon 5 as seen through the eyes of a couple of maintenance workers. This is a fun little story, but it doesn't have a great deal of drama to it. The plotline with Byron and Lyta continues to provide some interest though. "Learning Curve" is a pretty interesting story, but many people (including myself) were troubled by the fact that the Rangers practice vigilante justice in this story without it ever being questioned. There is a good scene between Garibaldi and Lochley in this story as their personality clash heats up. "Strange Relations" sets up the conflict between Bester and Byron and his telepaths. This is a pretty solid episode, probably the best of the season so far, along with "The Long Night of Londo Mollari." It also heightens the conflict between Lochley and Garibaldi. A conflict, that we knew would be continued in this story (and future episodes), is the one between Garibaldi and Bester. This is a very good story with a lot of hints at what the future will bring. Don't miss it. "Secrets of the Soul" is a story in which the telepath plot really starts to heat up in a couple of different ways! Lyta and Byron become very close, and Byron learns how telepaths were created as a tool of the First Ones. The plot with Dr. Franklin is another one of those ordinary stories that seemed to characterize far too much of the fifth season. Still, this is definitely not an episode that you'll want to miss. "Day of the Dead" is one of the really different episodes of the season, and this story (by Neil Gaiman) actually works very well. In a Brakiri ceremony, several characters from the series meet people who have died. Lennier is told something truly chilling by Mr. Morden that bodes ill for the future. Garibaldi meets Dodger, the cadet from "Gropos" and Londo has a night with Adira. Sheridan is also told something which we will see the implications of in the series finale. "In the Kingdom of the Blind" the plot with the Centauri that will be a major focus (somewhat effectively, yet somewhat not effectively) is set up. G'Kar is with Londo on Centauri Prime as his bodyguard, and there are many witty exchanges between the two in this story and in future tales. The telepaths begin to push very hard for their own planet since they feel as if they do not truly belong to humanity since so much of what they are is a Vorlon creation. This is a pretty good story that adheres to the spirit of the series very well. "A Tragedy of Telepaths" features the return of Bester as he is determined to return Byron and his telepaths to Psi Corp justice. We also finally see what has happened to G'Kar's aide Na'Toth in this episode. This story, however, as Andy Lane comments in The Babylon File: Volume Two, is mainly just a prelude for the next tale. "Phoenix Rising" is the next episode of the season, and it is a very good one. In this episode Garibaldi learns that he can't execute his revenge upon Bester for Bester's earlier taking possession of his mind, and he slips back into alcoholism. The viewers finally learn of the connection between Bester and Byron. The plotline of Byron and his telepaths comes to a tragic end. As Andy Lane states and the ending of the episode shows, this tale would have ramifications far down the road. This episode was definitely a midway point for the season. Andy Lane and others who criticized the telepath plotline strongly are glad that it is gone. However, for me, with one exception, the six episodes that follow this story do not work as well as many of the telepath stories. These next stories mainly focus on the Centauri treachery. I am not completely certain why they do not work well. Perhaps it is because the audience has too much foreknowledge of what will happen in the future from what we saw in the "War Without End, Part II" episode of the third season. Showing that the Centauri were responsible for the attacks to the viewers early may have taken away some of the suspense. The Centauri palace intrigue plot worked so well with Emperor Cartagia in season four. A faceless, characterless alien controlling an unseen regent can't do the job that he did with the plot however. The plotline of Byron and his telepaths, although it lacked the cosmic scope of the Shadow War and the fight against President Clark and was knocked by many simply because of that in all likelihood, worked for me pretty well. It did not have the great drama of those earlier plots. Yet it allowed us to see Lyta grow and change. Many of Byron's ideals appealed to me because I tend to be an idealistic person and perhaps am sometimes blind to the harsh realities of the world. The telepath plotline (both that which had already occurred and the later elements of it that popped up in the final episodes of season five) also showed that Sheridan and Delenn did not have all the answers, and that is a fact that I think Straczynski wanted to show. Sheridan had a temper and Delenn was secretive, as several people have pointed out. They were human. They just tried the best they can, and in many ways the fifth season is a tribute to their triumphs and the tragedies that came from the fact that they were flawed. |
CADET CORNERCmdr, Erin Pence, CCC |
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| Wise Advice from Kids
(Submitted by Greg Turner) |
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CHAPLAIN'S CORNER  |
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DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune and it's probably too late now. But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow. And as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed. Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough. But I've got loving ones around me, and that makes me rich enough. I thank God for his blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed. O, Remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin. But all at once the dark clouds broke, and sun peeped through again. So Lord, help me not to gripe about the tough rows that I've hoed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed. If God gives me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough. I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads. Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed. | ||
| "Every man has a sane spot somewhere." --Robert Louis Stevenson | ||
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A LITTLE SMILE
 This little smile somehow found its way Onto this page to brighten your day. So pass it along to each of your friends, To remind them all that friendship never ends. THE U IN JESUS Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan. The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His Upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U." So many great people are spelled with a U, Don't they have a right to know JesUs too? It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, but it all starts with U. (author unknown) - submitted by Tina Snodgrass | ||
| Click Here to read more Chaplain's Corner | ||
  HELPING HANDS
Cmdr. Linda Widener, CMO |
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| Increase in Invasive Streptococcus Group A |
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Since the beginning of this year the Health Departments of Southwestern Ohio have received an increased number of cases of invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease, including Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome and Necrotizing Fasciitis, Normally, the Health Department receives about five cases in January and February, but so far this year, there have been more than twenty case reports. The Health Department wants to heighten awareness of these conditions. Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rapidly progressive soft tissue infection, a deep-seated infection of the subcutaneous tissue that progressively destroys fascia and fat but may spare the skin and muscle, which can be caused by Group A Streptococcus. The infection usually presents with severe pain, most commonly involving an arm or leg, sometimes with associated redness, bruising, or necrosis. Usually the pain is more severe than would be expected due to the physical findings. Treatment of this condition requires both surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Rare cases may require amputation. Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome occurs in patients with invasive Group A Streptococcal infections who develop hypotension and multiple organ failure. Treatment includes aggressive treatment of the underlying infections and supportive care, often requiring pressor support. For more information, contact your local Health Department. Or visit the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupastreptococcal_g/htm |
Recalled Sausages
A RECALL NOTICE FOR BRATWURST AND SMOKED SAUSAGES FROM QUEEN CITY SAUSAGES PROVISIONS HAS BEEN ISSUED. THEY ARE CONTAMINATED WITH "LISTERA MONOCYTOGENES", A BACTERIA THAT CAN CAUSE GASTRIC PROBLEMS. HERE IS THE LIST: QC BRAND SKINLESS BRATWURST AND SMOKED SAUSAGES 1 LB PKGS AND 3 LB PKG SKINLESS AND FAMILY PACK 5LB THEY HAVE SELL BY 060500 ON PKG. LOOK AT LABEL USDA "EST6838" THEY WERE PACKAGED APRIL 6 2000 AND SENT TO AREA GROCERY STORES. YOU CAN RETURN THEM TO WHERE YOU BOUGHT THEM. "DO NOT EAT" THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THIS. |
 
PROJECT GENESISCmdr. Tamara Borchardt, Chairperson |
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| Looking Back On 1999 |
WWF and our Conservation Action Network (CAN) have made quite a difference, sending tens of thousands of messages that have achieved invaluable conservation results - including helping to:
Visit the CAN Web site at http://takeaction.worldwildlife.org/action.htm or send e-mail to: actionsignup@worldwildlife.org WWF Wins Top Web Award: Best Non-Profit Site on the Internet World Wildlife Fund was honored December 9, 1999 by the Web Marketing Association (WMA) for having the best Web site of any non-profit organization on the Internet. More than 700 Web sites competed for one of this year's WebAwards recognizing the best-designed sites on the Internet. Visit the WWF Web site at http://www.worldwildlife.org/ Saving Rainforest Ecuador: In a ceremony in Quito in December, WWF recognized the government of Ecuador for protecting more than 2.4 million acres of Amazon rainforest by expanding two reserves, the Cuyabeno-Imuya and Yasuni National Park, and putting them off limits to oil, mining and infrastructure development. Earth Day
WASHINGTON, DC, April 19, 2000 (ENS) April 22, the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, is expected to be one of the biggest environmental events in history. An estimated half a billion people in 140 nations will participate. The international celebration first touched New York City with EarthFair 2000 on Sunday, April 16 with a one day environmental theme park offering visual displays and demonstrations of the latest clean energy technologies. From the opening ceremonies in front of the Statue of Liberty on a stage powered by wind turbines and photovoltaic cells to the latest in alternatively fueled buses, cars and vans, the New York EarthFair 2000 featured the U.S. Earth Day theme of green power. Windmills on the World Trade Center Plaza, solar electric drag and slot car racing, a solar Millennium home and a clean energy shuttle were some of the attractions on Sunday. A Citizen Empowerment Center helped people connect to their government officials on important energy issues via email. A fashion show featured garments made from recycled plastic bottles by leading designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller and Oscar de la Renta. |
Suit the action to the word, word to action. -- Shakespeare |
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Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2000 Earth Day Wrap-up: The Thirtieth Anniversary of Earth Day this past Saturday was an incredible success. Millions of people around the world held celebrations, most focused on the theme of clean energy and global warming. At the National event in Washington, D.C., hundreds of thousands came out to browse the information booths, enjoy great musical entertainment including James Taylor and Third Eye Blind, listen to speeches from politicians and environmental organizations including WWF, and catch a glimpse of Leonardo DiCaprio. --You made a difference on-line for Earth Day: This year, WWF's Earth Day Web site enabled users to send messages urging their representatives in Congress to support the Earth Day 2000 Clean Energy Agenda. In the month before Earth Day, over 22,600 e-mails and faxes were sent by more than 4,000 people. Thank you for your participation! --Miles for the Wild: We are also celebrating the success of WWF's second annual "Miles for the Wild" campaign. As of April 24, when the program officially ended, we raised $416,454 for World Wildlife Fund in honor of Earth Day. Each dollar donated earned ClickMiles from ClickRewards. Participating Web sites included AnimalPlanet.com, Ebags.com, WorldSpy.com and AreYouGame.com, with a percentage of each purchase going to WWF. Visit our site now to learn about other ways to help at: www.worldwildlife.org/ --Kids Can Protect the Environment Too: Earth Day marked the kick off of "Pennies for the Planet" 2000, an annual environmental education program for kids that gets them excited about conservation, teaches them about biodiversity, and shows them that they can make a difference. Each year, kids across the United States participate in a variety of activities. Kids can collect pennies to help fund conservation projects and local education efforts in the year's target ecoregions. "Pennies for the Planet" 2000 highlights the Chihuahuan Desert, the East African Mangroves and Marine Ecosystems, and the Sumatran Islands Forests and contains lots of information on the species, habitats, and environmental challenges facing these ecoregions. To learn more about the program, go to: www.worldwildlife.org/windows/pennies/ |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PROJECT GENESIS - CLICK HERE |
| GALACTIC GEMS |
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MOTHER'S DAY
& WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH REAL MOTHERS
The Images of Mother
The Beauty of A Woman
The beauty of a woman Is not in the clothes she wears, The figure that she carries, Or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, Because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, The passion that she shows, And the beauty of a woman with passing years - only grows! Did you know...
An English professor wrote the words, "Woman without her man is nothing," on the blackboard and directed the students to punctuate it correctly.
- submitted by Nelson Charette
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MAV AQUILA |
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These are the continuing voyages of the Privateer vessel Aquila. Their mission, should they choose to accept it (oops, wrong script!), is to seek out news, secrets, hidden meanings, to boldly go where none sane would care to go.
The M.A.V. Aquila, under the command of Captain L'jian "Raven" t'Khellian, a vessel in the service of the Maquis Freedom Alliance (MFA), has the approval of MFA Admiral Bejen to continue posing as the USS Aquila in order to gather intelligence for the purposes of quelling the Cardassian threat, furthering the mission of the Alliance, and to turn a quick buck. To the crew of the USS Aquila: May the Force be with you!
Introduction This will be a new area of the Talons Edge. The adventures of the crew will be seen in this space in the following months. Please feel free to write your own adventure to be posted here. |
